Eastern grey kangaroo  (Macropus giganteus)

Description

One of the largest kangaroo species (3), the eastern grey kangaroo has soft, thick, grey-brown fur, paler on the underparts, with a finely haired muzzle, and dark tips to the paws, feet and tail (2) (3) (4) (5). There may also be a darker line along the back (3). The length and shading of the fur varies with location, with the subspecies Macropus giganteus tasmaniensis having longer, denser and browner fur than its mainland counterpart, M. g. giganteus (3) (4) (6). The male eastern grey kangaroo is larger than the female, with a more heavily muscled head, chest and forelimbs, but is otherwise similar in appearance (3) (4) (5).

The eastern grey kangaroo can be distinguished from the closely related western grey kangaroo, Macropus fuliginosus, by its grey rather than brown colouration. The western grey kangaroo also tends to be darker around the head, and sometimes has a blackish patch around the elbow (3) (4).

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